Cosmetic applicator



June 1, 1965 T. F. ons 3,186,416

COSMETIC APPLICATOR Filed Deo. 7, 1962 F1624. Flai FIG. 6. )L /6.7

ENNlEs aufs,- F'l G. Q.

TT'ORNEY United States Patent() i 3,186,416 COSMETIC APPLICATOR Tennies F. Kolts, 26280 Belleporte Ave., Harbor City, Calif. Filed Dec. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 243,122

Claims. (Cl. 132-79) 4 .type cream has a tendency to harden about the ball valve when the cosmetic applicator is not used for a period of time, I have determined that the cosmetic cream has a `tendency to dissipate the lighter oils therefrom when the cream has a constant pressure applied thereagainst forcing the same against the ball valve. Usually this constant pressure is maintained by a spring pressed piston within a barrel containing the cosmetic cream for maintaining a constant pressure against the cosmetic cream interposed between the piston and the ball valve. This constant pressure causes the pigment in the cosmetic cream to harden when the lighter oils of the cosmetic cream escape from the cream thus rendering the applicator inoperable. There are many types of cosmetic creams which will function in this cosmetic applicator of the invention with satisfactory results and with results that are not attained with applicators now known to the inventor.

An object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic cream applicator adapted to apply compressive pressure to the cosmetic cream when it is desired to use the applicator the cosmetic cream normally being static.

A further object is the provision of a cosmetic applicator of the ball valve type, the ball valve being used as the means for applying a cosmetic cream to the lips and wherein the cosmetic cream will not dissipate or have the ingredients thereof separate and harden so as to render the ball valve inoperative.

A further object is the provision of a cosmetic cream applicator which permits storage of the applicator containing the cosmetic cream over long periods of time without affecting operability ofthe applicator.

Further objects include a cosmetic cream applicator which is simple of construction, inexpensive in cost of manufacture and generally superior to cosmetic cream applicators now known to the inventor.

In the drawing: l

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, detached longitudinal sectional view of one form of applicator and its cap;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional View on an enlarged scale, of the type of applicator shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional View of the applicator shown in FIGURE 1; Y

FIGURES 4, 5, 6, and 7, are transverse sectional views, on an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 4--4; 5 5; 6 6; and 7--7 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of a modied form of applicator; and,

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of a further modified form of applicator. i Y

Referring now to the drawing, that form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 7 will be described rst. This form of the invention includes a barrel 1 for lholding cosmetic cream 2, the barrel being so shaped at its forward end as to provide an external tapered portion 3 functioning as a finger piece. The internal tapered portion 4 of the finger piece leads to bore 5 of a tip 6 carrying at its outer end ball valve 7. The ball valve 7 is held with- Fpice Iin the bore 5 by broaching the tip 6, as is usual practice,

The .barrel 1 at its inner end 8 is provided with a diametric pair of crown type cams 9 and 10. A oating piston 11 is within the barrel, the piston body having a bell mouth 12 and an axial stud 13 extending from the body base. The bell mouth 12 terminates in a feather edge 14 which frictionally engages the inner surface of the barrel. The diameter of the piston body is such as to allow slight spacing relative to the internal diameter of the barrel in order that the piston will not tip laterally during movement thereof within the barrel. The cosmetic cream 2 is interposed between the piston 11 and the ball valve 7. Surrounding the stud 13 of the piston is a coiled spring 15, the outer end 16 of the spring extending at an angle for engagement with the barrel 1. The end 16 acts as a spur for impaling the barrel so that the piston will always move forwardly to impose a pressure against the cream without retrograde movement toward the end 8 of the barrel.

. A cylindrical casing 17 in part surrounds the barrel 1,

`and the barrel 1 is provided with an annular external shoulder 18 the forward end of the casing 17 abuting the shoulder, as shown. To provide a locking engagement between the barrel vand the casing, the barrel is provided with a peripheral spiral groove 19 and the casing is provided with an internal dimple 20 which is received in said spiral groove.

I provide for reciprocal movement within the casing and barrel a plunger` designated generally as 30 which is `formed in two connected parts, one part being of a diameter which ts within the barrel, as shown at 31 while the `second part 32 fits within the casing although both parts do not tightly engage either the barrel or casing. Between the two parts 31 and 32 is a shoulder 33. Both parts are tubular in nature, the forward end of part 31 being closed by end wall '34 while the outer end of part 32 is open, as shown at 35. Part 32 is provided with two diametrieally positioned longitudinal slots 36 and 37. The slot 36 extends from the open end 35 inward to the shoulder 33 `while slot 37 extends from the shoulder 33 and terminates inward of end 35, as shown in FIGURE 3 at '33. Adapted to surround part 31 and to abut the shoulder 33 is an elastic plunger gasket 39. The plunger gasket in the present instant, is of the feather edge type, the feather edge engaging the inner surface of the casing. In the case ofthe floating piston 11, it is preferably formed from a plastic such as polyethylene, and the diameter of the `feather edge portion Vis greater than the internal diameter of the barrel.

An actuator for the plunger 30 is provided at 50, the same comprising a rotary knob having a tubular extension 51 received between the periphery of the part 32 of the plunger and inner surface of casing 17. The actuator knob has a bore 52 communicating with the tubular extension 51. Included between the end 53 of the knob and abutting the end wall 34 of the plunger is a coil spring 54. The tubular extension 51 of the actuator is externally provided with a radial stud or pin 55 which is adapted to be positioned within the slot 37, see FIGURE 1, and

vthe actuator 50 is secured to the casing for rotation by quentially upon rotation of the actuator knob.

The actuator knob end 53 is provided with a transverse bore 58 which functions to bleed air from behind the plunger.

The modified forms of my invention, shown in FIG- URES 8 and 9 both utilize barrels for holding cosmetic cream. Thus, in 8, barrel 70 is provided internally when a floating piston 11 of the type shown in FIGURES 1 to 3i With a ball and tip while the barrel is not provided with crown type cams but is open ended, as shown at 71. The casing 72 receives the barrel 70 and abuts the external annular flange 73 of the barrel. The plunger 74 and the actuator 75 are integral in that the plunger 74 is a cylindrical piece carrying at its inner end a gasket 76 of the type shown in FIGURE 2 at 39 while the outer end of the cylindrical piece carries the actuator knob 75. The periphery of the plunger 74 is provided With a continuous thread type groove 77 functioning as a cam vwithin which groove is received a dimple 7S formed inwardly of the casing 72. -A peripheral groove 79 extends from the groove 77 to the knob 75, the grooves relieving air from behind the piston 11.

The form of my invention shown in FIGURE 9 contemplates a barrel 8) open at one end 82 with a oating piston ofthe type shown at 11 within the barrel for impingement against cosmetic cream 2. The end 82 of thebarrel carries a retainer plug 83 formed with a central bore 84 functioning as an air vent. The casing 85 has sleeve engagement with the barrel as shown and abuts the annular shoulder 86 of the barrel. The actuator 87 has an enlarged knob 88 and a reduced diameter tubular extension 89 which is received within the casing, the tubular extension receivingA a coil `spring 90 which abuts the knob and the retainer plug 83. The tubular extension carries a plunger gasket 91 of the type shown at 39 in FIGURE 2. The tubular extension 89 is provided with a peripheral longitudinal groove 92 and the casing is provided with a dimple 93 received within the groove 92.

The operation, uses, and advantages of the three forms of my invention, are as follows, taking that form shown in FIGURES 1 to 7 iirst. All devices work on the air plunger principle and actuation of the plunger builds up an air pressure against the base of the floating piston to cause the piston to move the cosmetic cream toward the ball valve. Thus, when the actuator knob 50 is rotated, the pin or stud 60 will travel on the inclined edge of one of the crown type cams 9 or 10` until it reaches the end thereof and suddenly drops due to the longitudinal edge which joins the crest of one camedge with the base of the following cam edge, as shown in FIGURE 1. The piston is actuated by the coil spring 54 and as a consequence the plunger, when the actuator knob is turned, compresses the coil spring followed by a sharp percussive action as the piston is driven forwardly. The plunger gasket 39 compresses the air forwardly against the floating piston 11 and the required compressive pressure against said piston will be determined by the number of ltimes the actuator knob is rotated, although it is usual to only rotate the actuator knob once or twice to impose presyapply the cosmetic cream two or three times to the lips.

The air under pressure will leak slowly rearwardly of the oating piston past the plunger gasket 39 into the plunger through slots 36 and 37 and outwardly through the port 58 of the actuator knob, with the result that the cosmetic cream is no longer under compression. As a result, deterioration of the cosmetic cream does not occur as the lighter oils in the cosmetic cream are not dissipated and the pigment therein does not harden. The secret of the success of the present applicator is the fact that pressure is only applied intermittently to thecosmetic cream Which permits the cosmetic cream to remain in its initial condition without any separation of its ingredients.

The casing is applied to the barrel by securing the barrel and casing in engagement through the use of the spiral groove 19 and the dimple 20 in the casing. When the casing and barrel are relatively turned, the parts are locked together. The stud 55, in assembling the device, will iirst enter the slot 36 to the end ofsaid slot where- 'upon the actuator knobmay be rotated to position the stud within the slot 37 so that upon rotation of the actuator knob, the pin through the medium of the end 38, will limit reciprocal movement of the plunger in one direction, as shown in FIGURE 3. The plunger has slide movement within both the barrel and the tubular extension 51 of the actuator but plunger'movement is limited by the pin positioned within slot 37.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 8 does not use a coil spring for causing sharp percussive action of the plunger but rather, upon rotating the actuator knob, the dimple 78 follows in the continuous spiral cam groove 77 to reciprocate the plunger and thus impose air pressure behind the floating piston 11.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 permits reciprocation of the plunger against the spring 90, to direct air under pressure through the opening 84 of the retainer plug against the floating piston 11. Air will bleed Islowly past the plunger gasket outwardly between the casing 85 and the tubular extension 89.

The oating pistons in all forms of my invention move forwardly, but are prevented from retrograde movement by the spur 16 in each instance.

Normally the ball valve has slight play within its seat and where a constant spring pressure is exerted against the piston within a barrel to press the cosmetic cream against the ball, the ball is not permitted freedom with the result that the cosmetic cream often hardens around the ball and stops operation of the applicator. With my invention, the ball may have slight play within its socket or seat and by having intermittent pressure against the cream, the ball is permitted a freedom so that air can leak and relieve pressure and leave the ball essentially free for movement.

I claim:

1. A cosmetic applicator, including: a barrel provided at one end with a ball valve, the opposite end of the barrel being open, a tubular casing in part surrounding the barrel and extending beyond the open end thereof, a oating piston within the barrel, said barrel adapted to hold a flowing cosmetic between the piston and the ball valve, said barrel provided with a cam having an inclined edge and a longitudinal edge, a plunger reciprocal within the barrel, a spring in compression between the plunger and the casing for moving the plunger inwardly of the barrel toward the iioating piston, said plunger provided with means engaging the cam under pressure of the compression spring, valve means communicating with the atmosphere, closing upon move-ment of the plunger toward the floating piston and opening upon reverse movement thereof to atmospherize the space between the floating piston and the plunger, means for axially rotating the plunger to move the rst named means on the inclined edge of the cam to move the plunger inone direction to compress the spring and to suddenly release spring compression when the longitudinal cam edge is reached during continued rotation of the plunger to etect sharp percussive plunger movement to compress air between the plunger and the piston.

2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1: said valve means including a gasket member provided with a feathered edge in the direction -of the piston interposed between the plunger and the casing, the feathered edge engaging the casing.

3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, there being means maintaining the piston against movement within the barrel during compression of the, spring.

4. A cosmetic applicator, including: a barrel provided at one end with a ball valve, the opposite end of the barrel being open, a piston Within the barrel, the barrel adapted to hold a flowing cosmetic between the piston and the ball valve, said barrel provided at its open end with a pair of identical crown type cams each of a type which has an inclined edge and a longitudinal edge between the crest of one inclined edge and the base of the following inclined cam edge, a plunger axially received within the barrel at the cam end thereof, a compression spring urging therplunger inwardly of the barrel, a stud carried by the plunger for engagement with each crown type cam under pressure of the compression spring, axial rotation of the plunger moving'the stud on the inclined edge of one crown type cam and moving the plunger in one direction to compress the spring, and releasing the plunger under spring pressure to move the plunger in the opposite direction when the longitudinal edge is reached to cause sharp percussive action to compress air between the plunger and the piston, and valve means communicating with the atmosphere closing upon movement of the plunger toward the floating piston andopening upon reverse movement thereof to atmospherize the space between the Heating piston and the plunger.

5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1; said plunger having two interconnected portions of diferent diameter, the smaller diameter portion of which is provided with a head and is received Within the barrel, the portion of the plunger of largest diameter being within the casing and means for rotating the plunger comprising a knob at one end of the casing and means securing the knob to the plunger for plunger reciprocation within the casing and the barrel.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,857,857 5/32 Medley 15-553 2,382,314 8/45 Herb 132--84 X 3,008,476 11/61- Pepin 132-79 Y 3,088,636 5/63 Spatz 222-387 X RICHARD `A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

1. A COSMETIC APPLICATOR, INCLUDING: A BARREL PROVIDED AT ONE END WITH A BALL VALVE, THE OPPOSITE END OF THE BARRLE BEING OPEN, A TUBULAR CASING IN PART SURROUNDING THE BARREL AND EXTENDING BEYOND THE OPEN END THEREOF, A FLOATING PISTON WITHIN THE BARREL, SAID BARREL ADAPTED TO HOLD A FLOWING COSMETIC BETWEEN THE PISTON AND THE BALL VALVE, SAID BARREL PROVIDED WITH A CAM HAVING AN INCLINED EDGE AND A LONGITUDINAL EDGE A PLUNGER RECIPROCAL WITHIN THE BARREL, A SPRING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN THE PLUNGER AND THE CASING FOR MOVING THE PLUNGER INWARDLY OF THE BARREL TOWARD THE FLOATING PISTON, SAID PLUNGER PROVIDED WITH MEANS ENGAGING THE CAM UNDER PRESSURE OF THE COMPRESSION SPRING, VALVE MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH THE ATMOSPHERE, CLOSING UPON MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER TOWARD THE FLOATING PISTON AND OPENING UPON REVERSE MOVEMENT THEREOF TO ATMOSPHERIZE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FLOATING PISTON AND THE PLUNGER, MEANS FOR AXIALLY ROTATING THE PLUNGER TO MOVE THE FIRST NAMED MEANS ON THE INCLINED EDGE OF THE CAM TO MOVE THE PLUNGER IN ONE DIRECTION TO COMPRESS THE SPRING AND TO SUDDENLY RELEASE SPRING COMPRESSION WHEN THE LONGITUDINAL CAM EDGE IS REACHED DURING CONTINUED ROTATION OF THE PLUNGER TO EFFECT SHARP PERCUSSIVE PLUNGER MOVEMENT TO COMPRESS AIR BETWEEN THE PLUNGER AND THE PISTON. 